How it Works

Through volunteer labour and donations of money and materials, Habitat builds decent houses with the help of the homeowner (partner) families. Habitat houses are sold to partner families at no profit, financed with affordable, no-interest loans. The homeowners' monthly mortgage payments are used to build still more Habitat houses.

Habitat is not a giveaway program. In addition to monthly mortgage payments, homeowners invest hundreds of hours of their own labour -- sweat equity -- into building their Habitat house and the houses of others.

Habitat houses are purchased by the homeowner families. Three factors make the houses affordable to low-income people worldwide:

• Houses are sold at no profit, with no interest charged on the mortgage
• Homeowners and volunteers build the houses under trained supervision
• Individuals, corporations, faith groups and others provide financial support

How are the partner families selected?

Homeowner families are chosen based on three criteria:

1. A need for a decent, affordable house that cannot be met by traditional means
2. The ability to repay a no-profit, no-interest mortgage loan
3. The willingness to work in partnership with Habitat.

Habitat for Humanity does not discriminate according to race, religion or ethnic group.

For more information, see Frequently Asked Questions.